U.S. patent application number 09/793692 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-13 for transfer device.
Invention is credited to Arai, Toshihiko, Maeda, Nobuyoshi.
Application Number | 20010020569 09/793692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18586352 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010020569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arai, Toshihiko ; et
al. |
September 13, 2001 |
Transfer device
Abstract
The present invention is a transfer device for transferring
large blank materials through multi-stage processing by engaging
and employing both a crossbar-type and a finger-type transfer
device. The cross-bar type transfer device includes a blank
attachment member, adaptable to specific blank shapes, that enables
transfer of large blank materials without sufficient rigidity for
quicker or simpler transport methods. The finger-type transfer
includes multiple fingers suitable for rapid transport of blank
materials that, after initial processing, have sufficient rigidity
for rapid transport.
Inventors: |
Arai, Toshihiko;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Maeda, Nobuyoshi;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas R. Morrison, Esq.
MORRISON LAW FIRM
145 North Fifth Avenue
Mount Vernon
NY
10550
US
|
Family ID: |
18586352 |
Appl. No.: |
09/793692 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 43/055
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/570 |
International
Class: |
B65G 037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2000 |
JP |
2000-067109 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A transfer device, comprising: at least a first pair of feed
bars parallel to each other; a bolster extending below said feed
bars; said feed bars operable away from and laterally along said
bolster; a first transfer means along an upstream side of said feed
bars; said first transfer means engagable with an external blank; a
second transfer means along a downstream side of feed bars; said
second transfer means engagable with said external blank; and said
first means and said second means operating in sequence to
transport said external blank from said upstream side along said
feed bars to said downstream side whereby the speed of said
transfer device is increased.
2. A transfer device according to claim 1, comprising: at least a
first pair of guides; and each said guide on a first surface of
each said cross bar.
3. A transfer device according to claim 2, further comprising: at
least a first and second cross bar orthogonal on said feed bars;
said cross bars having a first and a second end; said first ends
proximate said second ends; said first ends adjustably fitted in
said guides; said second end slidably guided in said guides; a
plate supported by and joined to said cross bars; a blank
attachment member on said plate to attach an external blank; a
pinion rotatably attached to said plate; a rack formed at a center
section of said feed bars; said pinion meshing with said rack; said
rack operable through an external driver; and said rack operating
said plate and said blank attachment member to transport said blank
toward said downstream side, whereby the speed of said transport
device is increased.
4. A transfer device according to claim 3, further comprising: at
least a first pair of finger members; said finger members extending
toward each other between said feed bars; said finger members
adjustable relative to said feed bars and said bolster to engage
said external blank; and said finger members operating according to
said feed bars to engage said external blank and progressively
transport said external blank toward said downstream side, whereby
the speed of said transfer device is increased.
5. A transfer device according to claim 4, further comprising: a
first conveyor between said feed bars on said upstream side; said
first conveyor providing said external blank to said upstream side;
a second conveyor opposite said feed bars on said downstream side;
said second conveyor receiving said external blank from said
downstream side; at least a first and second pair of guide parts
along said feed bars; at least a first and second clamp lift unit
below said feed bars; said first and second clamp lift unit lifting
and guiding to said first and second guide parts; a slider along
said downstream side of said feed bars; said slider guidably fixed
to said feed bars; and said slider reciprocating with said feed
bars to provide external blank to said downstream side and said
second conveyor whereby the speed of said transfer device is
increased.
6. A transfer device, comprising: a pair of feed bars parallel to
each other; said feed bars having an idle stage on an upstream side
and at least a first and second stage on a downstream side; a first
transfer means spanning said feed bars on said upstream side; said
first transfer means including a pair of cross bars and a blank
attachment member; said blank attachment member attachable to an
external blank; a second transfer means provided along said feed
bars on said downstream side; said second transfer means including
at least a first pair of finger parts; said finger parts attachable
to said external blank; and said first transfer means transferring
said external blank from said idle stage to said first stage and
said second transfer means transferring said external blank from
said first stage to said second stage to transport said external
blank to said downstream side whereby said external blank is
rapidly transported.
7. A transfer device, according to claim 6, further comprising: a
rack formed in a center portion of said cross bars; at least a
first guide affixed on an upper surface of each said feed bar; a
facing end and an opposite end on each said cross bar; said facing
end of said cross bars affixed on said guides; said opposite end
slidably guided in said guides; a plate joined proximate said
center portion of said cross bars; a pinion rotatively provided on
said plate; and said pinion rotatively meshing with said rack
member to provide adjustment to said plate and said cross bars
whereby said external blank is rapidly transported.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a transfer device equipped
with feed bars having fingers for gripping an end part of a blank.
The present invention further relates to a transfer device equipped
with cross bars having a blank attachment member.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] For conventional transfer devices, transferring a
feed-bar-type blank, a typical method of transfer is to grasp an
end part of the blank material with a clamping motion. This
clamping motion method is conventionally actuated by a pair of feed
bars arranged parallel to each other. The clamping motion operation
is conducted at an approximate stroke rate of 45 strokes per
minute. Blank materials, beyond about 1300 mm, have minimal linear
rigidity and sagging is frequent. As a result, the clamping
operation, and subsequent transfer, is awkward.
[0005] With larger blank materials (for example, 2500 mm or
greater), a cross-bar method for transfer is conventionally used.
In the cross-bar method, a blank attachment member attaches to the
upper surface of the blank material prior to transfer. With a
lift-and-lower motion, the cross bar first attaches to the blank
material and then transfers the blank material to the next
processing stage. During processing, the cross-bars are held in a
position that does not interfere with a die press or other
operation. After the operation, the cross-bars return to the
previous stage to transport the next blank material.
[0006] In the cross-bar method, the time duration for one cycle is
large and the stroke rate per minute is low, typically around 10
per minute. As a result, the productivity rate is reduced.
Furthermore, the cross-bar method requires a driving device to move
the cross bars. As a result, a device employing the cross-bar
method of transfer is large and complex, thereby increasing initial
costs, maintenance costs, maintenance downtime, and replacement
part costs.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
transfer device that has a high rate of productivity.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
transfer device that minimizes operational errors due to blank
flexing.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
transfer device that is generally compact and jointly employs two
types of transfer devices.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
transfer device that incorporates the use of both a cross bar and a
clamping motion to rapidly transfer products through processing
stages at a desirable feed rate.
[0011] Briefly stated the present invention relates to a transfer
device for transferring large pliable blank materials through
multi-stage processing by engaging both a cross-bar-type and a
finger-type transfer devices along a process path. The cross-bar
type transfer device includes a blank attachment member, adaptable
to specific blank shapes, thus enabling transfer of large blank
materials, which prior to processing, do not have sufficient
rigidity for simpler transport methods. The finger-type transfer
includes multiple fingers suitable for rapid transport of blank
materials that, after initial processing, have sufficient rigidity
for rapid transport.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a transfer device, comprising: at least a first pair of
feed bars provided parallel to each other, said feed bars having an
upstream side and a downstream side, a bolster member extending
below said feed bars, said feed bars operable away from and
laterally along said bolster, a first transfer means provided along
said feed bars on said upstream side, said first transfer means
engagable with an external blank, a second transfer means provided
along said feed bars on said downstream side, said second transfer
means engagable with said external blank, and said first means and
said second means operating in sequence whereby said external blank
is transported from said downstream side along said feed bars to
said upstream side.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device, comprising: at least a first
guide affixed on an upper surface of each said cross bar along said
downstream side.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device wherein said first transfer
means comprises: at least a first pair of cross bars spanning said
feed bars, said cross bars each having a opposite facing end
affixed in said guide, said cross bars each having a second end
slidably guided in said guide, a plate joined to said cross bars
along a center portion of said cross bars, a blank attachment
member provided on said plate, a pinion rotatably provided on said
plate, a rack formed in a center portion of said feed bars, said
pinion meshing with said rack, and said rack operable through an
external driver whereby said plate is adjustable and operable away
from said bolster according to said feed bars and said external
driver whereby said external blank is progressively
transported.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device wherein said second transfer
means comprises: at least a first pair of opposing finger members,
said finger members extending toward each other between said feed
bars, said finger members adjustable relative to said feed bars and
said bolster to engage said external blank, said finger members
operating according to said feed bars and engaging said external
blank whereby said external blank is progressively transported.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device further comprising: a first
conveyor on said upstream side opposite said cross bars, said first
conveyor providing said external blank to said upstream side, a
second conveyor on said down stream side opposite said feed bars,
said second conveyor receiving said external blank from said
downstream side, at least a first and second pair of guide parts
along said feed bars, at least a first and second clamp lift unit
below said feed bars, said first and second clamp lift unit lifting
and guiding to said first and second guide parts, a slider provided
along said downstream side of said feed bars, said slider guidably
affixed to said downstream side of said feed bars, and said slider
reciprocating with said feed bars whereby said external blank is
provided to said downstream side and said second conveyor after
processing.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device, comprising: a pair of feed
bars provided parallel to each other and having an idle stage on an
upstream side and at least a first and second stage on a downstream
side, a first transfer means spanning said feed bars on said
upstream side, said first transfer means including a pair of cross
bars and a blank attachment member, said blank attachment member
attachable to an external blank, a second transfer means provided
along said feed bars on said downstream side, said second transfer
means including at least a first pair of finger parts, said finger
parts attachable to said external blank, and said first transfer
means transferring said external blank from said idle stage to said
first stage and said second transfer means transferring said
external blank from said first stage to at least second stage
whereby said external blank is progressively transported.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a transfer device, further comprising: a rack
member formed in a center portion of said pair of cross bars, at
least a first guide affixed on an upper surface of each said feed
bar, a facing end and an opposite end on each said cross bar, said
facing end of said cross bars affixed on said guides and said
opposite end of said guide bars slidably guided in said guides, a
plate joined adjacent a center portion of said cross bars, a pinion
rotatively provided on said plate, and said pinion rotatively
meshing with said rack member whereby adjustment is provided to
said plate and said cross bars.
[0019] The present invention uses cross bars that have a blank
attachment member and which are suitable for transferring large
blank materials that, prior to processing, do not have sufficient
rigidity. The present invention also jointly uses fingers that are
suitable for rapid transport of blank materials that, after
processing, are molded and have rigidity.
[0020] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transfer device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, a press machine 28 is equipped with
a bed, not shown and employs the present invention as a transfer
device. A crown, also not shown, is supported on the bed by columns
1. Columns 1 are on each outside corner of press machine 28. A
bolster 2, is fixed on top of the bed. It is to be understood, that
while bolster 2 is fixed to the bed in this embodiment, the bolster
2 may be shiftably provided on the bed, depending upon customer
demand.
[0023] A slide, not shown, moves vertically with respect to bolster
2. A plurality of lower and upper molds, not shown, are on the
opposing surfaces of bolster 2 and the slide.
[0024] Feed bars 5, 6, and 7 are arranged in pairs, parallel to
each other, along the top of bolster 2. Feed bars 5, 6, and 7
transport the blank materials from die to die during the operation
of press machine 28.
[0025] Feed bars 5, 6, and 7 are in three sections. A joint 12,
allows separation of feed bars 5 from feed bars 6 for adjustment
and maintenance. Similarly, ajoint 13 allows separation of feed
bars 6 from feed bars 7. As a result, it is easy when exchanging
dies or other operations, to remove feed bars 6 together with
moving bolster 2.
[0026] A slider 14 guides feed bars 5, 6, and 7 in the transfer
direction. Slider 14 is linked to one end of feed bars 7. A pair of
upright pins 15 are on slider 14, extending away from the
horizontal surface. Upright pins 15 are insertable into holes, not
shown, positioned on the end of feed bars 7. As a result, slider 14
is connected to feed bars 7.
[0027] During operation, slider 14 conducts an reciprocating
advance-return motion. A servo motor 16, having a rack-pinion
construction, not shown, serves as a driving means for the
advance-return motion of slider 14. Through pins 15, feed bars 5,
6, and 7 also conduct an advance-return motion in conjunction with
the advance-return motion of slider 14.
[0028] During reciprocation, pairs of U-shaped guide parts 8 and 9
guidably receive feed bars 6 and 7. Guide parts 8, 9 conduct a
clamp-unclamp motion on feed bars 6 and 7. A pair of clamp-lift
units 3 and 4 extend away from bolster 2 toward columns 1.
Clamp-lift units 3 and 4 each have a ball-screw mechanism, not
shown. The ball-screw mechanism serves as a driving means for a
servo motor, not shown, on clamp lift units 3 and 4. The servo
motor operates clamp-lift units 3 and 4 in the clamp-unclamp motion
on feed bars 6 and 7. As a result, guide parts 8 and 9 conduct a
lifting and lowering motion with a rack-pinion mechanism. The
rack-pinion mechanism has, as a driving means, a separate servo
motor positioned inside clamp lift units 3 and 4.
[0029] In the above discussion, feed bars 5, 6, and 7 may conduct
two or three-dimensional motions, or both. However, feed bars 5, 6,
and 7 may alternatively be constructed to conduct only a
two-dimensional motion along a horizontal plane according to
manufacturer need or customer desire. Where this alternative
construction occurs, a cylinder(not shown) is provided on a blank
attachment member 18, attached to a cross bar 17. The cylinder
conducts the lifting and lowering motion of blank attachment member
18.
[0030] A conveyor belt 10 and a conveyor belt 11 are on opposite
sides of the transfer device. It is to be understood that, conveyor
belts 10, 11 may be formed in as a single or multiple belt unit.
Conveyor belt 10 brings blank materials to an idle stage 23 at a
constant rate. Idle stage 23 is positioned on an upstream side in
FIG. 1. Conveyor belt 11 transfers the product that has completed
the final processing to a down-stream product receiver (not
shown).
[0031] Feed bars 6 are equipped with cross bars 17 and multiple
sets of fingers 22 for gripping an end-part of a blank material. In
conjunction with either the above-described two or three
dimensional movement, cross bars 17 and fingers 22, grip the blank
end-part and transfer each blank to the next processing stage.
[0032] A pair of guides 2 1, for installing cross bars 17, affix to
feed bars 6 on the upstream side. Cross bars 17 each have two
facing ends and two opposite ends. The facing ends of the pair of
crossbars 17 are affixed to guides 21. The opposite ends of cross
bars 17 are slidably guided in guides 21.
[0033] A plate 20 is additionally provided on cross bars 17. A
blank attachment member 18, such as a vacuum cup or magnet, is
provided on plate 20. Blank attachment member 18 engages a blank
material for later processing or transfer. A pinion (not shown) is
rotatably fixed on plate 20. A rack (not shown) is formed in the
center part of cross bars 17. The rack meshes with the pinion on
plate 20. As a result, a rack and pinion mechanism 19 is created by
the meshing engagement of the pinion and the rack described above.
Blank attachment member 18 is at a middle point between feed bars
6. In sum, the above describes a first transfer device attached to
feed bars 6.
[0034] As a second transfer device, at least a first pair of
fingers 22, formed to grip the blank end-part, attach to feed bars
6. Fingers 22 operate in conjunction with the motion of feed bars
6. Fingers 22 transfer the blank material, brought to a first stage
24 by cross bars 17, to a second stage 25. Fingers 22 transfer the
blank material to each subsequent downstream stage provided by a
manufacturer. It is to be understood, that while the present
embodiment discloses stages 24 through 27, additional operational
stages may be included or removed without changing the nature or
scope of the invention. Each operational stage 24 through 27 is
associated with a process number No. 1-4, as shown on FIG. 1. It is
to be understood, that process and stage order are positioned
according to manufacturer or customer demand.
[0035] The first and second transfer devices allow the transfer and
operation of press machine 28. The blank material, initially
transferred to idle stage 23 by conveyor belt 10, is brought to
first stage 24 by blank attachment member 18. The blank material is
then molded by die process No. 1. In the present embodiment, it is
to be understood, that the first stage 24 process is a process
whereby the blank is stiffened by a bending or molding process to
form a stiffened but further unworked blank. Thus, after initial
forming, the blank material is sufficiently stiff to be transferred
by fingers 22.
[0036] After initial formation, the blank material is then
transferred from first stage 24 to second stage 25 by fingers 22.
Fingers 22 operate by gripping the blank end-part. A product is
molded in sequence at each of the stages downstream from second
stage 25. Conveyor belt 11 brings a final product to a product
receiver, not shown.
[0037] In the present invention, cross bars 17 with blank
attachment member 18 are used for carrying the blank material to
first stage 24 when a sagging blank material is a processing
concern. After first stage 24, the blank material is molded and is
understood to be sufficiently rigid for the transfer by fingers 22
to later stage fingers 22. In other words, with one press machine,
two types of transfer devices are used together. As a result, an
commercial advantages is realized in terms of cost and high
productivity.
[0038] Although only a single or few exemplary embodiments of this
invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in
the exemplary embodiment(s) without materially departing from the
novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus
although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents in that
a nail relies entirely on friction between a wooden part and a
cylindrical surface whereas a screws helical surface positively
engages the wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden
parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
[0039] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that
various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one
skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *